Catch up on today's top five analyst downgrades with this list compiled by The Fly: 1. Pivotal Research analyst Brian Wieser downgraded Alphabet (GOOGL) to Hold from Buy citing brand safety concerns and valuation following the recent rally in the shares. News last week that Havas, the sixth largest global media network, is pulling its spending from Google's YouTube and Google Display Network in the U.K. because Google was "unable to provide specific reassurances, policy and guarantees that their video or display content is classified either quickly enough or with the correct filters" is a big deal, Wieser tells investors. 2. Canaccord analyst Lynne Collier downgraded Sonic (SONC) to Hold from Buy, citing challenging industry sales, the potential for Street estimates to be too high in the midst of soft sales, a lack of upcoming catalysts, and increasing competition from non-traditional venues such as convenience stores. 3. Piper Jaffray analyst Alexander Potter downgraded Mobileye (MBLY) to Neutral saying that while demanding a higher buyout price may be justified, he "begrudgingly" concluded that the price Intel (INTC) is paying for the company is fair. The analyst raised his price target for Mobileye shares to $63.54 from $60 to reflect Intel's offer. 4. Susquehanna analyst Sam Poser downgraded Caleres (CAL) citing the company's "disappointing" results and his belief that the company will not be able to overcome industry headwinds. 5. Goldman Sachs analyst Conor Fitzgerald downgraded Stifel Financial (SF) to Neutral from Buy while raising his price target for the shares to $59 from $58. The analyst believes LPL Financial (LPLA), a stock he upgraded this morning to Conviction Buy, offers more upside at current valuations. This list is just a portion of The Fly's full analyst coverage. To see The Fly's full Street Research coverage, click here.

03/20/17

SUSQ

03/20/17DOWNGRADESUSQNeutral

Caleres downgraded to Neutral from Positive at Susquehanna

Susquehanna analyst Sam Poser, downgraded Caleres citing the company's "disappointing" results and his belief that the company will not be able to overcome industry headwinds. Target to $31 from $40.

SCVLShoe Carnival

$27.64

0.94 (3.52%)

10/03/17

SIDC

10/03/17DOWNGRADESIDCNeutral

Shoe Carnival downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Sidoti

09/20/17

SUSQ

09/20/17UPGRADETarget $23SUSQPositive

Shoe Carnival upgraded to Positive on hurricane tailwinds at Susquehanna

As previously reported, Susquehanna upgraded Shoe Carnival to Positive from Neutral and raised its price target to $23 from $19. Analyst Sam Poser has increased confidence FY17 and FY18 guidance will be raised based on the positive long-term impact of recovery from recent hurricanes. While its counterintuitive, history indicates footwear replacement needs and demand from contractors will drive near-term better than expected results, the analyst wrote in a note to investors. Additionally, better woman's demand and improving processes will add to results beyond FY17.

09/20/17

SUSQ

09/20/17UPGRADESUSQPositive

Shoe Carnival upgraded to Positive from Neutral at Susquehanna

11/17/17

WEDB

11/17/17NO CHANGETarget $27WEDBOutperform

Shoe Carnival momentum can carry into 2018, says Wedbush

Wedbush analyst Christopher Svezia raised his price target on Shoe Carnival to $27 from $25 after the company's "beat and raise" Q3 report, as he believes its increased FY17 outlook is likely conservative and achievable and he argues that its comparisons are "relatively easy" in the first half of 2018. Svezia keeps an Outperform rating on Shoe Carnival shares.

SHOOSteven Madden

$43.05

2.05 (5.00%)

11/01/17

ADAM

11/01/17NO CHANGETarget $47ADAMBuy

Steven Madden weakness a buying opportunity, says Canaccord

Canccord analyst Camilo Lyon said Steven Madden reported another strong quarter as its Q3 results showed continued increase in market share on the strength of its right product and superior supply chain. He noted the macro-driven weakness in boots is disappointing, but was more than offset by the strength in other categories, which he reads as evidence the company is executing well. Lyon said the weakness should be bought and he reiterated his Buy rating and $47 price target on Steven Madden shares.

11/07/17

SUSQ

11/07/17NO CHANGETarget $48SUSQPositive

Steven Madden weakness a buying opportunity, says Susquehanna

Susquehanna analyst Sam Poser said the selloff in Steven Madden is overdone as the company met consensus in a tough operating environment. He said the company remains best-in-class in terms of speed-to-market with clean inventory that positions it for long-term profitable growth. Poser reiterated his Positive rating and $48 price target on Steven Madden shares.

11/29/17

BUCK

11/29/17UPGRADEBUCKBuy

Steven Madden upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Buckingham

Buckingham analyst Scott Krasik upgraded Steven Madden to Buy and raised its price target to $48 from $38. The analyst has increased confidence the company will achieve Q4 guidance due to an acceleration in boot sales, will guide FY18 sales at least inline with its long-term sales growth, potential earnings upside from tax reform, and accretion from potential acquisitions.

11/29/17

11/29/17UPGRADE

On The Fly: Top five analyst upgrades

Catch up on today's top five analyst upgrades with this list compiled by The Fly: 1. Wal-Mart (WMT) upgraded to Sector Perform from Underperform at RBC Capital analyst Scot Ciccarelli saying the company's earnings growth will remain suppressed by a multi-year investment cycle, but it will ultimately come out as a "true competitor" to Amazon (AMZN). 2. Allergan (AGN) upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Morgan Stanley with analyst David Risinger saying that fears about a "better Botox" from Revance (RVNC) may be overdone. 3. Domino's Pizza (DPZ) upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Nomura Instinet with analyst Mark Kalinowski citing the 21% pullback in the shares from their 52-week high closing price of $218.88 on June 26. 4. Zoetis (ZTS) upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Morgan Stanley with analyst David Risinger arguing the stock can continue to outperform relative to peers as it continues to benefit from long-term secular trends, including rising livestock protein consumption and the better care of pets. 5. Steven Madden (SHOO) upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Buckingham with analyst Scott Krasik saying he has increased confidence the company will achieve fourth quarter guidance due to an acceleration in boot sales, will guide fiscal 2018 sales at least inline with its long-term sales growth, potential earnings upside from tax reform, and accretion from potential acquisitions. This list is just a portion of The Fly's full analyst coverage. To see The Fly's full Street Research coverage, click here.

SKXSkechers

$34.56

-0.05 (-0.14%)

10/20/17

10/20/17UPGRADETarget $35Outperform

Skechers upgraded on sooner than expected inflection at Wedbush

As previously reported, Wedbush analyst Christopher Svezia upgraded Skechers to Outperform from Neutral following the company's Q3 earnings report, stating that the company's key drivers, particularly its international growth and gross margin, have inflected sooner than he expected. These factors, along with moderately improving U.S. wholesale sales, can drive continued outperformance, Svezia tells investors. He raised his price target on Skechers to $35 from $25.

10/20/17

SUSQ

10/20/17NO CHANGETarget $38SUSQPositive

Skechers price target raised to $38 from $34 at Susquehanna

Susquehanna analyst Sam Poser raised his price target on Skechers to $38 from $34 citing international growth and healthy domestic business. He said continued top-line strength, coupled with slowing investment growth, sets the company up for an earnings inflection in 2018. Poser reiterated his Positive rating on Skechers shares.

10/20/17

WEDB

10/20/17UPGRADEWEDBOutperform

Skechers upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Wedbush

10/20/17

EVER

10/20/17NO CHANGEEVEROutperform

Evercore ISI initiates a 6% Skechers Long Position in Model Portfolio

Evercore ISI analyst Omar Saad initiated a 6% long Skechers position in the Model Portfolio. Saad said Skechers increasingly consistent financial performance confirms the company has transformed itself into a unique platform that adeptly designs, sources, and distributes a complex range of high-quality sneakers from fashion to casual to technical at a great value to consumers all over the world.

WWWWolverine World Wide

$29.25

0.89 (3.14%)

08/10/17

BARD

08/10/17NO CHANGETarget $32BARDOutperform

Wolverine World Wide weakness a buying opportunity, says Baird

Baird analyst Jonathan Komp thinks any concerns about Wolverine World Wide's ability to deliver Q3-Q4 plans or the amount of upside potential in 2018 are unwarranted given its solid Q2 results and raised full-year guidance. The analyst raised his estimates and he sees an upward bias to estimates and sentiment/valuation which remains attractive. He would be an aggressive buyer on pullbacks. Komp reiterated his Outperform rating and raised his price target to $32 from $30 on Wolverine shares.

10/05/17

PIVT

10/05/17INITIATIONTarget $32PIVT

Wolverine World Wide at Pivotal Research

Pivotal Research analyst Mitch Kummetz initiated Wolverine World Wide with a Hold and $32 price target saying EBIT isn't improving enough to justify a more constructive view on shares.

11/08/17

PIVT

11/08/17UPGRADEPIVTBuy

Wolverine World Wide upgraded to Buy from Hold at Pivotal Research

05/17/17

05/17/17UPGRADE

On The Fly: Top five analyst upgrades

Catch up on today's top five analyst upgrades with this list compiled by The Fly: 1. ConocoPhillips (COP) upgraded to Buy from Hold at Jefferies with analyst Jason Gammel saying the company's divestitures have repaired the balance sheet faster than expected. 2. TJX (TJX) upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Morgan Stanley with analyst Kimberly Greensberger saying the pullback in shares following the first quarter comparable store sales miss and soft second quarter guidance creates a buying opportunity. 3. Wolverine World Wide (WWW) upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Baird with analyst Jonathan Komp citing improving fundamentals, ongoing business initiatives, margin recovery, and an attractive risk/reward. Komp raised his price target to $30 from $29 on Wolverine World Wide shares. 4. Windstream (WIN) upgraded to Outperform from Underperform at Raymond James with analyst Frank Louthan saying the 52% selloff since August 5, 2016 appears overdone given an improved free cash flow outlook from recent acquisitions. 5. Clovis (CLVS) upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at JPMorgan with analyst Cory Kasimov saying the shares are down 35% over the last two months for "no clear fundamental reason." This list is just a portion of The Fly's full analyst coverage. To see The Fly's full Street Research coverage, click here.

Snap Inc. (SNAP) is banning ads of initial coin offerings in its Snapchat app, Cheddar reports, citing a company spokesperson. The decision makes Snapchat the latest social media platform to prohibit advertisements for cryptocurrency ICOs, the report says. In contrast to Facebook (FB) and Google (GOOG), however, Snap's current block of ICOs has been in effect since early February and does not apply to different kinds of cryptocurrency ads, the report says. Reference Link

Airbus (EADSY) is mulling making a freighter version of its slow-selling A330neo widebody, spurred by requests from potential customers Amazon (AMZN) and UPS (UPS), Bloomberg reports, citing people familiar with the matter. The interest from Amazon and UPS could incite a competition between Airbus and rival Boeing (BA) as the worldwide air-cargo market rebounds from a slump, the report notes.

Facebook's chief information security officer, Alex Stamos, will leave the company after internal disagreements over how the social network should deal with its role in spreading disinformation, The New York Times reports, citing current and former employees briefed on the matter. Reference Link

Amazon has considered the possibility of expanding its retail footprint by acquiring some stores from bankrupt Toys 'R' Us, Bloomberg reports, citing people with knowledge of the situation. The e-commerce giant is not interested in maintaining the Toys 'R' Us brand, but has mulled using the soon-to-be-vacant stores for its own purposes, the report says. Reference Link

President Trump is readying to place a package of $60B in annual tariffs against China, following through on a long-time threat that he claims will punish China for IP infringement and create more jobs in the U.S., the Washington Post reports. The tariff package, which the president intends to unveil by the end of the week, was confirmed by four senior administration officials, the report notes. Senior aides has presented Trump with a $30B tariff package that would apply to a variety of products, but the president directed them to approximately double the amount of new trade levies, the report says. The package could be applied to over 100 products, which the president contends were made by using trade secrets that the Chinese stole from U.S. companies or forced them to hand over in exchange for market aces, the report says. Reference Link